Ocean Carrier Review: Asia to U.S. East Coast

Lilly + Associates International reviewed the top (and most requested) carriers from Asia to the U.S. East Coast. Here is our breakdown.

Why is Carrier Choice Important?The decision to ship on one carrier versus another could cause massive headaches in the form of delayed/missed shipments at transshipment hubs, longer than necessary routes, or a higher price for a service you do not need.

Before choosing a carrier for your segment, be sure to prioritize whether transit time, price and/or reliability is the most important factor to the success of your business. Based on that information, it will be easier to choose the best ocean shipping carrier to satisfy your supply chain needs. Keep in mind, carrier preference will change based on your lead time and budgetary requirements.

What works for your supply chain today, might not in the future.

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Maersk TP7 ServicePorts of Call: Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Ningbo, China; Shanghai, China; Yantian, China; Hong Kong, Hong, Kong; Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia; Port Tangier, Morocco; Savannah, GA, USA; Charleston, SC, USA; Miami, FL, USA

Pro: A cost-effective and reliable service. If Maersk TP7 says a transit is 28 days, the cargo will most likely arrive on schedule.Con: The ocean shipping vessel travels through the Suez Canal, which is has cheaper tolls than the Panama Canal. This routing adds transit time when compared with Panama Canal routed vessels.When you should ship on TP7: This is a very reliable Maersk service that shippers should use when looking for a moderate service, both in price and transit time.

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Evergreen/MOL AUE3Ports of Call: Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Yantian, China; Singapore; Algeciras, Spain; Norfolk; Savannah, GA, USA; Jacksonville, FL USA; Charleston, SC, USA; Cai Mep, Vietnam

Pro: This service is operated by two ocean shipping carriers (Evergreen and MOL) and is also a cost-efficient and reliable option traveling through the Suez Canal. Con: The joint service is slightly slower service than Maersk’s TP7 service and the transit time is longer than vessels traveling through the Panama Canal.When you should ship on AUE3: As with the TP7, this is another reliable (albeit slightly longer in transit time) option going through the Suez Canal. If transit time is not of the utmost importance, the AUE3 is a viable option for shippers.

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CMA CGM Manhattan BridgePorts of Call: Xiamen, China; Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Yantian, China; Shanghai, China; New York, NY, USA; Norfolk, VA, USA; Savannah, GA, USA; Xiamen, China

Pro: The most direct ocean shipping loop from China to the U.S. East Coast going through the Panama Canal, making transit shorter from Asia to U.S. East Coast.Con: Rates for this service are slightly higher than carriers that opt for the Suez Canal.When you should ship on Manhattan Bridge: Shippers should ship goods on this CMA service when the freight needs to get from China to the U.S. East Coast as soon as possible. Shippers should also be prepared to pay a premium for the added convenience of short transit time.

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CMA CGM Columbus LoopPorts of Call: Yokohama, Japan; Shanghai, China; Ningbo, China; Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Yantian, China; Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia; New York, NY, USA; Norfolk, VA, USA; Savannah, GA, USA; Busan, Korea; Seattle, WA, USA; Vancouver, BC, Canada

Pro: With this CMA service, there are more loading points in Asia as compared to the Manhattan Bridge service.Con: This ocean shipping service has slightly longer transit times.When you should ship on Columbus Loop: This service is ideal for shippers who require additional loading port options in Asia.

CCNI CEXPorts of Call: Shanghai, China; Ningbo, China; Yantian, China; Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Busan, Korea, Manzanillo, Mexico; Balboa, Panama; Buenaventura, Colombia; Guayaquil, Ecuador; P. Angamos, Chile; Valparaiso, Chile

Pro: Significant cost savings can be achieved with this service. CCNI is more accepting of overweight cargo (i.e. tile granite).Con: The transit time is longer and the service needs to transship in Panama to go to the U.S. East Coast.When you should ship on CEX: If you have time to spare, this is a great cost saving option (sometimes the shipper can save ~$800 USD by using this service). Although the vessel transships in Panama, there is an abundance of transshipping vessels in this port of call so it is nearly a direct route. This service is also ideal for overweight cargo shippers.

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CCNI NAX Ports of Call: Keelung, Taiwan; Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Shekou, China;, Xiamen, China; Ningbo, China; Shanghai, China; Busan, Korea; Manzanillo, Mexico; Cárdenas, Mexico; Callao, Peru; Iquique, Chile; P. Angamos, Chile; Valparaiso, Chile

Pro: Similar service to the CEX, but includes Taiwan.Con: As with CEX, the transit time is long and the service needs to transship in Panama to go to the U.S. East Coast.When you should ship on NAX: If you have time to spare, this is a great cost saving option (sometimes the shipper can save ~$800 USD by using this service). Although the vessel transships in Panama, there is an abundance of transshipping vessels in this port of call so it is nearly a direct route. This service is also ideal for overweight cargo shippers.

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China Shipping AAE2Ports of Call: Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Chiwan, China; Ningbo, China; Shangai, China; Pusan, Korea; Houston, TX, USA, Mobile, AL, USA; Miami, FL, USA; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Charleston, SC, USA

Pro: This ocean shipping vessel also travels through the Panama Canal without a U.S. West Coast stop and travels to the Gulf Coast and also includes Korea at origin.Con: If going to the U.S. East Coast, the stop in in the Gulf Coast slows the arrival.When you should ship AAE2: Shippers needing a direct ocean shipping route with no transshipments should consider this service. For importers on the Gulf Coast, this service is ideal as the cargo arrives directly via the port versus rail. Railing 20 foot ocean shipping containers from the U.S. West Coast to the Gulf Coast require a “pair” to fill the full 40 foot slot and the freight will sit at the rail yard until another 20 foot container is ready for transit on that same route. This service cuts the rail concern completely out of the equation.

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Questions on Your Import Freight?

Lilly + Associates International is an international freight forwarding company, specializing in ocean freight. The company is headquartered in Miami, Florida and operates wholly-owned offices in China, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, and Guatemala. With employees and agents around the world, Lilly provides customers effective door-to-door transportation and logistics solutions.

Give us a call at 305-513-9540 if you have any questions regarding your import shipments. We’d be happy to help!

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